For years, youth leaders in Lebanon have carried more than their share: an economic collapse, a global pandemic, the Beirut explosion, and more recently, a war. And all of this has led to the steady departure of trained leaders seeking education or work abroad.
Many stayed. But they stayed tired.
Katalyst, a network of youth ministries across Lebanon (of which YFC Lebanon is part) has long aimed to equip leaders to serve effectively in their communities. This year’s Katalyst youth ministry conference asked a hard question: What happens when the hero leaves? YFC youth workers, along with leaders from other member ministries, reflected on how the event helped them build sustainable practices that strengthen their ministries regardless of who is present.
From Survival to Sustainability
Katalyst has long aimed to catalyze change among youth leaders across the Middle East. In recent years, however, the focus has become increasingly local, equipping Lebanese youth leaders to become agents of change within their own communities.
This year’s theme was sustainability.
Too often, youth ministry depends on one strong, charismatic leader. When that leader burns out or moves away, the entire ministry struggles to survive. Rebuilding begins again from zero.
Katalyst sought to address that pattern head-on. The goal was not merely to inspire leaders to keep going, but to help them build ministries that continue to flourish regardless of who is present.
Building Systems That Outlast Individuals
Main speaker Trey Wince challenged participants to shift from personality-driven ministry to system-driven ministry.
Instead of relying on one “unicorn” volunteer who does everything, he encouraged leaders to divide responsibilities into smaller roles, recruit intentionally, and train people well. Sustainability, he emphasized, is not accidental; it is designed.
Rana, a youth worker at YFC Lebanon’s Manara Youth Center and Katalyst attendee, reflected:
“Katalyst was really encouraging. It was a time for me to rest and look from a distance at how things are going in my ministry. The balcony theory was good because I felt that that’s what I was doing. I already take time every morning to organize my priorities.”
That “balcony time”—stepping away from the battlefield to assess—was one of the conference’s key ideas. Leaders were reminded that systems, routines, and thoughtful planning actually protect the relational and spiritual heart of ministry.
Recruitment was another practical focus. Rana shared how a simple shift can change everything:
“A group invitation is a nobody invitation. It’s better to go to each person privately and ask them to help with something specific.”
Proper recruitment and task distribution, she noted, are essential for long-term sustainability. When leadership is shared, burnout decreases, and ministry becomes self-sustaining.
More Than a Conference
Beyond the sessions, something deeper was happening.
Churches that do not typically collaborate found themselves praying together. Youth leaders from different backgrounds shared struggles openly. On the final day, one group spontaneously gathered for prayer.
Rouba, Executive Assistant to the National Director and one of the training coordinators, reflected:
“The need for these conferences is more evident each year. Youth leaders are often overlooked when it comes to training. We expect them to be a never-ceasing fountain of creativity, but in reality, they are drained. Empowering and equipping them is paramount.”
Each Katalyst gathering has sparked new partnerships between churches. We have seen them hold joint events, shared resources, and a growing shift away from competition toward kingdom collaboration.
A Different Future
In a country marked by instability and loss, sustainability may seem ambitious.
But Katalyst offered a hopeful alternative to burnout-driven ministry. Instead of building around a single hero, youth leaders are learning to build networks, systems, and shared ownership, so that when a leader leaves, the ministry does not collapse.
Instead, it continues grounded, reaching young people with the hope of Christ.